[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 227 (Monday, November 28, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page ]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-29123]


[Federal Register: November 28, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Highway Administration


Environmental Impact Statement; Berkeley and Jefferson Counties, 
West Virginia

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.

ACTION: Revised notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: The FHWA is issuing this notice to advise the public that an 
environmental impact statement being prepared for the proposed highway 
project in Berkeley and Jefferson Counties, West Virginia, has revised 
project limits.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Bobby W. Blackmon, Acting Division Administrator, Federal Highway 
Administration, 550 Eagan Street, Suite 300, Charleston, West Virginia 
25301, Telephone: (304) 347-5929, or Ben L. Hark, Environmental Section 
Chief, Roadway Design Division, West Virginia Department of 
Transportation, 1900 Kanawha Boulevard East, Building 5, room A-830, 
Capitol Complex, Charleston, West Virginia 25305-0430, Telephone: (304) 
558-3236.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FHWA, in cooperation with the West 
Virginia Department of Highways (WVDOH), will prepare an Environmental 
Impact Statement (EIS) on a proposal to improve West Virginia Route 9 
(WV 9) between Charles Town and Martinsburg. The improvement as 
previously proposed would provide a four-lane controlled access roadway 
for WV 9 from the existing Charles Town Bypass to just east of South 
Queen Street in Martinsburg. The improvement as currently proposed 
reduces the project limit by 0.92 mile on the eastern terminus so that 
a four-lane controlled access roadway would be provided from the 
existing Charles Town Bypass to Berkeley County Route 9/36 (Grapevine 
Road). This 0.92 mile section between South Queen Street and Grapevine 
Road will be considered as a separate project in order to address 
current unacceptable access and safety problems associated with that 
section.
    Improvements to the WV 9 corridor between Charles Town and 
Martinsburg are considered to adequately provide for a safe and 
efficient transportation system to serve the existing and future 
transportation needs of the area and to sustain and encourage local and 
regional economic development. Alternatives under consideration for the 
environmental impact statement include (1) No Build; (2) widening 
portions of the existing two-lane highway to four lanes; and (3) 
constructing a four-lane, controlled access highway along new 
alignment.
    Informational public meetings were held February 18, 1992 in 
Charles Town and February 19, 1992 in Martinsburg to present 
preliminary information and solicit questions, comments and concerns. 
The previous Notice of Intent appeared in the Federal Register June 1, 
1992. The scoping meeting was held October 21, 1992 with participants 
from federal, state, and local agencies in attendance. A public 
workshop was held November 3, 1993 and a public meeting on December 21, 
1993, both in Kearneysville to present updated information and continue 
the public involvement process. The pre-draft EIS was circulated to 
federal, state, and county agencies January 1994. The draft EIS is not 
yet available for public circulation. A section 106/public meeting was 
held June 29, 1994 in Martinsburg to present current information and 
solicit additional information regarding history and archaeology in the 
area. Additional meetings and hearings will be scheduled when a draft 
EIS is available for circulation. Notice will be given of the time and 
place of the meetings and hearings. A public hearing for the 0.92 mile 
section as a separate project was held August 11, 1994. Comments or 
questions concerning this proposed action and the EIS should be 
directed to the FHWA at the address provided.

(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number 20.205, Highway 
Research Planning and Construction. The regulations implementing 
Executive Order 12372 regarding intergovernmental consultation on 
federal programs and activities apply to this program.)

    Issued on: November 17, 1994.
Bobby W. Blackmon,
Acting Division Administrator, Charleston, West Virginia.
[FR Doc. 94-29123 Filed 11-25-94; 8:45 am]
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